Aubri’s journey at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, is a testament to her resilience and the impact of specialized care. Aubri struggled for over a year with severe gastrointestinal issues, unable to keep food down. Her condition was so dire that she relied on feeding tubes to survive. “Aubri had an emergency tube placed in her nose and later in her stomach directly,” shares her mother, Alanda. “That was her only source of food for so long! It was awful! She was in so much pain and nauseous all the time, everything was hard.” The situation was grim, and their local hospitals seemed unable to provide the answers or care that Aubri desperately needed.
The turning point came when Alanda learned about Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida and Dr. Poulos. “It was an absolute Godsend,” she says. A friend, who had glowing experiences with Nemours Children’s, inspired Alanda to seek out the specialized care the hospital offered. This decision changed everything.
At Nemours, Dr. Poulos identified the root of Aubri’s suffering—Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS), a rare condition. “Our local hospitals never caught it,” Alanda explains. “Dr. Poulos diagnosed her after ordering several tests. The surgery our local hospitals recommended often leads to long-term health issues, but Dr. Poulos and his team put together a plan that literally saved her life.”
Within days of surgery with Dr. Poulos, Aubri was able to eat solid food again—a milestone that was celebrated with joy. “The food delivery lady brought Aubri a balloon; she was so excited she could eat again!” says Alanda. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as the day after surgery, Nemours held a hospital Prom, which turned out to be a magical experience for Aubri. “I can’t tell you how much that blessed Aubri! She glowed!” shares Alanda. The care extended beyond medical treatment; every detail was attended to, making Aubri feel special and cared for. “It was such a magical night in the midst of a really, really hard season!”
Though recovery from a major surgery can be difficult, Aubri had her care team to lean on. Even during the toughest moments, Dr. Poulos and the Nemours team were there, offering reassurance and expert care. “Dr. Poulos kept reassuring us she was doing incredibly well,” Alanda says. Just eight weeks post-op, she is doing better than ever.
Reflecting on their time at Nemours, Alanda expresses deep gratitude. “Our experience with Nemours could not have been better! The medical team was so professional and literally saved our daughter’s life. On top of that, they made a stressful, hard time a lot better than I could have ever hoped!” Thanks to Nemours and Dr. Poulos, Aubri is now on a path to a healthier life.
